Scipio Africanus

Campaign in Hispania

In 211 BC both Scipio's father Publius Scipio and uncle Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Calvus were killed in battle against Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal Barca. The people crowded round him and followed him to the Capitol where they offered thanks to the gods and begged them to give Rome more citizens like Scipio Africanus. With Scipio's consent Hannibal was allowed to become the civic leader of Carthage which the Cato family did not forget.

He was best known for defeating Hannibal at the final battle of the Second Punic War at Zama a feat that earned him the agnomen Africanus the nickname "the Roman Hannibal" as well as recognition as one of the finest commanders in military history. Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC) also known as Scipio the African Scipio the Elder and Scipio the Great was a general in the Second Punic War and statesman of the Roman Republic.